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by The Notified Team on Sep 5, 2024 4:34:14 PM
When it comes to pitching stories, can visuals make the difference?
Our blog explores this important question – featuring insights from Michelle Garrett’s recent webinar.
Why Visuals Can Improve Your Media Pitches
The short answer – yes, visuals can make all the difference.
In fact, not including visuals can reduce engagement and miss out on important branding opportunities. Here’s why:
1. Increased Media Engagement
Including visuals in your pitch can significantly enhance its impact.
When you incorporate compelling visuals such as high-quality photos, infographics or videos into your pitch, you’re not just adding decoration - you’re making your content more engaging and memorable. Visuals help break up text, illustrate key points and provide a more dynamic way to tell stories.
In fact, your visual might end up in the editorial coverage itself!
This helps capture the interest of reporters and encourages them to cover your story, leading to greater visibility and impact.
2. Improved Brand Awareness
Incorporating high-quality visuals into your pitch isn’t just about making your story look good - it’s a strategic move to reinforce and promote your brand.
When you include elements like current headshots, high-resolution logos, or engaging videos, you’re providing journalists with more than just content. You’re offering them a chance to see and recognize your brand's identity. This visual representation helps to establish a strong and consistent image of your brand in the media’s mind.
But just remember – a multimedia asset that is overly branded may not be fit for editorial use, so just remember that. However, it could provide helpful background for the reporter (and is something you could use across owned channels, such as social media).
Which Type of Visuals Should You Include in Your Pitch?
Depending on your news, there are a variety of ways to bring your story to life.
Some media outlets may request visuals, but even if they don’t, it's a good idea to include them in your pitch. Adding visuals ensures you’re providing everything journalists might need!
High-Resolution Images
Always include high-resolution images in your pitch - aim for at least 300 dpi. Low-resolution photos can’t be used effectively in print or online stories and are likely to be rejected.
Providing current headshots of spokespeople and high-quality logos is also essential. These high-resolution images ensure that your visuals look professional and polished, making it easier for journalists to use them in their stories.
Videos
If you have relevant videos, include them. However, if you don’t have a video, there’s no need to force one. Videos can add significant value and make your pitch more attractive to journalists.
Avoid Stock Photos
Journalists prefer original, authentic visuals rather than stock photos. Stock images can look generic and may not add much value to your pitch.
Instead, use visuals that are unique to your story. Custom images are more likely to catch a journalist's eye and make your pitch stand out.
Check out this press release example from GlobeNewswire by Notified featuring a compelling visual:
How To Share Visuals with Journalists: Attachments or Links?
You might be surprised at how often this advice is ignored.
Use Links Instead of Attachments
Journalists may not recognize your name or email address, especially if you’re reaching out to them for the first time.
Because of this, they might be hesitant to open email attachments from unfamiliar sources. This hesitation is mainly due to concerns about potential viruses, malware or other security risks that could come from downloading files from unknown senders.
To avoid this issue and ensure your visuals are accessible, it’s safer and more effective to use secure file-sharing links – such as WeTransfer or Dropbox - instead of sending attachments.
Using links helps streamline the process for journalists, allowing them to quickly access and download your high-resolution images, videos or other materials. This method ensures that your files are easy to access and download, saving journalists time and effort.
Anticipate Needs
When preparing your pitch, think ahead about what a journalist might need. Include all necessary visuals in your link so they don’t have to ask for additional materials. This proactive approach makes it easier for journalists to use your content without further requests.
For additional tips on how to create pitches that journalists will find valuable, check out Michelle Garrett's full webinar. She offers an in-depth look at these strategies and shares expert advice!
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